Assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modular containment assembly of novel component parts which by virtue of its inherent versatility is straightforward and inexpensive to assemble whilst providing improved performance and cleanliness thereby minimising the potential for product contamination. More particularly, the component parts are an operator booth and a modular structure comprising a plurality of unitary frameworks between which (in use) is induced an airflow.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A modular containment assembly comprising components between which in use is induced an airflow, said components being: 
 a modular structure comprising a plurality of unitary frameworks stacked to form a network of discrete housings;    an operator booth of box-like configuration having a rear wall positioned adjacent to the modular structure, wherein the modular structure is adapted at or near to its lower end to receive the airflow from the operator booth and at or near to its upper end to transmit the airflow to the operator booth, and the rear wall of the operator booth is adapted at or near to its lower end to transmit the airflow to the modular structure; and    means for inducing the airflow downwardly in the operator booth.    
     
     
         2 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a plenum arrangement adjacent to an open ceiling of the operator booth, wherein the plenum arrangement is capable of transmitting the airflow from at or near to the upper end of the modular structure downwardly into the operator booth.  
 
     
     
         3 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the plenum arrangement comprises one or more plenum chambers.  
     
     
         4 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the or each plenum chamber is adapted to contribute to perfect laminar flow (PLF).  
     
     
         5 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the or each plenum chamber comprises a base frame having a ladder-like configuration.  
     
     
         6 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the base frame comprises two elongate side members joined in parallel spaced apart relationship by a plurality of transverse members.  
     
     
         7 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 5  wherein on the lower face of the base frame is mounted PLF material.  
     
     
         8 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 5  wherein a profiled canopy is secured to the upper face of the base frame.  
     
     
         9 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the profiled canopy has a substantially vertical open end through which may be transmitted airflow from the modular structure.  
     
     
         10 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the substantially vertical open end is defined by two side walls joined in substantially parallel spaced apart relationship by an integral rear wall which curves inwardly away from the open end.  
     
     
         11 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the substantially vertical open end is fitted with a panel of PLF material.  
     
     
         12 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the modular structure comprises: 
 an at least partially open front face at or near to its lower end and adjacent to the rear wall of the operator booth, wherein the rear wall of the operator booth at or near to its lower end comprises an elongate gap capable of transmitting airflow from the operator booth to and through the at least partially open front face of the modular structure.  
 
     
     
         13 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 12  wherein the at least partially open front face is adapted to mount a pre-filter.  
     
     
         14 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each unitary framework is a metal frame construction.  
     
     
         15 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the metal is steel.  
     
     
         16 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein one or more of the unitary frameworks is panelled.  
     
     
         17 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the panels are steel panels.  
     
     
         18 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each unitary framework comprises a plurality of struts.  
     
     
         19 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the struts are uniform.  
     
     
         20 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 18  wherein each strut of the unitary framework has a uniform drill pattern.  
     
     
         21 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein one or more of the unitary frameworks is box-like.  
     
     
         22 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one unitary framework is adapted to vertically mount a filter.  
     
     
         23 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the at least one unitary framework is positioned at or near to the lower end of the modular structure.  
     
     
         24 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one unitary framework is adapted to horizontally mount a filter.  
     
     
         25 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the at least one unitary framework is positioned above the lowermost unitary framework of the modular structure.  
     
     
         25 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one unitary framework is adapted to mount a fan unit.  
     
     
         26 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the at least one unitary framework is positioned at or near to the upper end of the modular structure.  
     
     
         27 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the means for inducing the airflow comprises a fan unit driven by a flange mounted inverter controlled motor.  
     
     
         28 . A modular containment assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the operator booth comprises individual panels capable of being locked together.